2018 HR-V EX 2WD Dash lights and relays going off when powered off

3159 Views 26 Replies 8 Participants Last post by anamamunoz1, 8 d ago

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · 10 mo ago

We own a 2018 HR-V EX 2WD we bought new in January 2018. It has 70k miles. We have had all regular service done on it as scheduled.
These problems we began having around February 2022. Sometimes (not always) when the car is parked- no key fob anywhere near it- the dash lights and relays start clicking and blinking in random patterns. If the car is locked, the alarm will usually start going off when this happens. Also if the lights switch was set to Automatic, they sometimes come on and drain the battery if we don't see it happening. The car is drivable- when on and driving everything seems to behave normally.

For now, the car remains in our garage with the battery disconnected. Luckily we have other ways of getting around.

We have:
1. Taken it to a Honda dealer (the one we purchased it from) and had them look at it while we were getting the start button replaced under warranty. They said the codes said something about the dash mounted sunlight sensor not connecting with the Gauge Control Module (the whole dash unit containing the gauges and odometer). So they replaced the sensor. It didn't stop the problem.
2. We had the battery replaced with a brand new one. It did not stop the problem.
3. We had our Honda trained mechanics (not the dealer) replace the Gauge Control Module. It didn't stop the problem.
4. Next we had our mechanics replace the under dash Fuse Box Assembly which controls all of the wiring harnesses. It didn't stop the problem.

Our mechanics are stumped- we have used them for more than 10 years and we really respect them. They suggested we write American Honda directly, and we have done so by email about 1 week ago. I have heard back from them and now have a Case number but have heard nothing else.

I do have one other thing for you all to see- a video of this actually happening. I will place the link to my Dropbox so you can see it. All the noises you hear and lights you see are from the HR-V itself- I am just sitting in the seat. We really hope this can be fixed. We have really enjoyed the car otherwise.

Here's the link to the video. Any ideas on how to fix this are greatly appreciated.
Honda HR-V dash video.mp4

Mark

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Dammit

· #2 · 10 mo ago

Wow, that is a weird one... Are there any non-OEM electrical components added to the vehicle? You mentioned the alarm going off. Is there a problem with that? Assuming the vehicle hasn't been in an accident and had repairs done as a result of that, my guess is there is a short somewhere where, or a connection that has worked it's way loose.

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #3 · 10 mo ago

Dammit said:
Wow, that is a weird one... Are there any non-OEM electrical components added to the vehicle? You mentioned the alarm going off. Is there a problem with that? Assuming the vehicle hasn't been in an accident and had repairs done as a result of that, my guess is there is a short somewhere where, or a connection that has worked it's way loose.

No non-OEM parts added.
The alarm goes off if we lock the car and the lights start flashing. We don't think it is the alarm, instead, we think the alarm goes off because it believes the car is being tampered with.
The car did hit a deer on the passenger front side and was repaired, but our shop looked at all the cables out there and saw no breaks or shorts.

Dammit

· #4 · 10 mo ago

Just because the shop didn't see it at the time doesn't mean they weren't there. My car was hit in the rear at 55MPH. The shop I took it to was highly recommended, and does a good job from what I can tell and other reviews. When I picked it up I started looking a bit more closely, and found that the tub that the spare tire sits in had a weld that was cracked in the collision. I could see daylight coming through.

I'd have someone take a look at all the wiring on that side of the vehicle.

Reactions: 2

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #5 · 10 mo ago

Thanks, you are thinking like I was.
Our shop had the car 2 and a half weeks, and checked out the wiring harnesses throughout the entire car. They worked on the car a total of more than 8 and a half hours. I really trust them. I'm waiting to hear back from Honda America.

fitter_here

· #6 · 10 mo ago

I would suspect that you are parked on an old Indians cemetery, (Joke)..lolll
Really, I've never seen this kind of problems

Reactions: 1

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #7 · 10 mo ago

fitter_here said:
I would suspect that you are parked on an old Indians cemetery, (Joke)..lolll
Really, I've never seen this kind of problems

Trust me, that thought has come up.

Marty_in_Mesa

· #8 · 10 mo ago

We have a 2109. There was a dealer installed security system we were unaware of (we are second owners)
While it did not cause for us the issues you describe, while in for service, the tech suggested it be removed because they had experienced unusual system problems with cars in which it was installed.

I only suggest it in the rare chance you have a similar system in the car.

As an electrician, otherwise it seems to me you have some sort of ground issue and all the car's ground points should be carefully inspected.

I have seen something similar as to what you described and showed on our car but it was a bad battery. (Longshot, but just maybe, there is an issue with the replacement battery. Have it exchanged to rule it out)
Can you easily replicate the issue? Does it come and go? When the car is running is all ok? How were you able to recreate it or does it just do it on it's own?
If there is an electrical issue they can't pin down, I might not be parking it in the garage until it is resolved.

It is good you caught it on video and I do hope they find the cause and you can report back here.

Good luck!
Marty

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mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #9 · 10 mo ago

Marty_in_Mesa said:
We have a 2109. There was a dealer installed security system we were unaware of (we are second owners)
While it did not cause for us the issues you describe, while in for service, the tech suggested it be removed because they had experienced unusual system problems with cars in which it was installed.

I only suggest it in the rare chance you have a similar system in the car.

As an electrician, otherwise it seems to me you have some sort of ground issue and all the car's ground points should be carefully inspected.

I have seen something similar as to what you described and showed on our car but it was a bad battery. (Longshot, but just maybe, there is an issue with the replacement battery. Have it exchanged to rule it out)
Can you easily replicate the issue? Does it come and go? When the car is running is all ok? How were you able to recreate it or does it just do it on it's own?
If there is an electrical issue they can't pin down, I might not be parking it in the garage until it is resolved.

It is good you caught it on video and I do hope they find the cause and you can report back here.

Good luck!
Marty

Thanks- there is not a dealer installed alarm that we are aware of, but will ask the dealer and check the sales papers we have.
Our shop did double check the new battery - it passes with flying colors.
One thing I did not mention is this happens even when the wiring harnesses are disconnected one at a time- our Tech thought by doing that he could narrow a short problem to one section. But no luck.
The car does not exhibit any problems when powered and driving (yet!). The problems come when the car is parked- and not all the time. We had it in the garage after getting it back from it's 2 and a half week Spa vacation at the shop- and we saw no problems for 3 days. Then we saw it every couple of hours until I disconnected the battery (I keep a 10mm socket wrench in the car now at all times.).
I am starting to wonder if it has something to do with the Powertrain Control Module, part 37820-51M-C31. I will attach a screenshot. This thing hangs off the negative battery cable connection.

Rectangle Font Circle Number Magenta

So frustrating.

Thanks for everyone taking a look at the video. Really hope it helps find the answer.

Mark

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Marty_in_Mesa

· #10 · 10 mo ago

Did this issue start out of the blue or had you noticed the oddities starting to come on? Can you pin point if anything was done to the car before it happened?

Generally, all the dealers have a direct line to Honda support if they are stumped. I assume they used that option.
I hope Honda steps in to take a look at the issue more closely for you. I'm hoping for and hearing about a resolution for you!
Marty

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #11 · 10 mo ago

Marty_in_Mesa said:
Did this issue start out of the blue or had you noticed the oddities starting to come on? Can you pin point if anything was done to the car before it happened?

Generally, all the dealers have a direct line to Honda support if they are stumped. I assume they used that option.
I hope Honda steps in to take a look at the issue more closely for you. I'm hoping for and hearing about a resolution for you!
Marty

It started happening in early February this year. Nothing unusual before that.
Our dealer has not been helpful- when they replaced the starter button under warranty (in March), they did not replace all the dash trim correctly and a rough grinding sound came when turning the wheel. I had to go back in and have them redo this work. I had asked them about this and they said there were no codes- just a code that the sunlight sensor was not working correctly and they replaced that. Our shop also says there are no codes.
I also hope we hear from American Honda soon. I do know that the video link I sent them has been accessed more than 20 times- so I am guessing it is making the rounds. ;-)
Mark

Ein

· #12 · 10 mo ago

www.odyclub.com

2016 Odyssey - After shutoff: dash lights flicker, rapid...

No problems when the car is turned on and running, but after parking and pushing the "off" button the vehicle sometimes acts haunted. Not every time. Sometimes just a little for a minute and then it's quiet. Sometimes it goes on for over half an hour. In each instance, some or occasionally all...

www.odyclub.com

www.odyclub.com

Keyless entry module?

Reactions: 2

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #13 · 10 mo ago

Ein said:
2016 Odyssey - After shutoff: dash lights flicker, rapid...

No problems when the car is turned on and running, but after parking and pushing the "off" button the vehicle sometimes acts haunted. Not every time. Sometimes just a little for a minute and then it's quiet. Sometimes it goes on for over half an hour. In each instance, some or occasionally all...

www.odyclub.com

Keyless entry module?

Thanks! Will check on this! Most similar sounding problem I have seen!

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #14 · 10 mo ago

I think the "Keyless Control Module" is called a "Smart Power Control Unit" on the 2018 HR-V. Part Number 38329-T7D-A01.
I will be checking on this tomorrow- Thanks!
38329-T7D-A01 - Genuine Honda Control Unit, Smart Power

noelmem5

· #15 · 9 mo ago

Any of the service centers swapped the ECU already ? A different ECU could clean the connectors as they are reseated even if they put back the original afterwards - suspecting a loose/oxidized connection here.

I saw those lights flickered when I try starting as one cell of the stock battery suddenly wend dead one afternoon and the 2yr old replacement one morning - but all of them , not like yours they come alive one by one or groups . I replaced those dead batteries within the day all went well. I have model 2015

The Start button also went intermittent when the car was 2 yrs - involved only 2 small panels around the switch if tightly assembled and one 10pin connector , not the whole dashboard.

noelmem

Reactions: 1

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #16 · 9 mo ago

noelmem5 said:
Any of the service centers swapped the ECU already ? A different ECU could clean the connectors as they are reseated even if they put back the original afterwards - suspecting a loose/oxidized connection here.

I saw those lights flickered when I try starting as one cell of the stock battery suddenly wend dead one afternoon and the 2yr old replacement one morning - but all of them , not like yours they come alive one by one or groups . I replaced those dead batteries within the day all went well. I have model 2015

The Start button also went intermittent when the car was 2 yrs - involved only 2 small panels around the switch if tightly assembled and one 10pin connector , not the whole dashboard.

noelmem

Thanks! The dealer messed up the start button replacement- not sure what they did but they had to redo it two weeks later. It's fine now.

On Monday I am having the Smart Power Control Unit replaced- if you look at the video that the 'Ein' Admin linked of the Odyssey dash lights it is exactly the same. I will post what happens as soon as I get mine back!

Marty_in_Mesa

· #17 · 9 mo ago

Just curious where this ended up? Resolved or no? If yes, what was it?
Marty

Reactions: 1

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #18 · 9 mo ago

Marty_in_Mesa said:
Just curious where this ended up? Resolved or no? If yes, what was it?
Marty

It's at the shop as I type- they are backed up- I should hear from them Monday or Tuesday. I promise to update this group when I get it back.

Marty_in_Mesa

· #19 · 9 mo ago

Cool.
I sure hope they have a good electrical person. Checking grounds etc....
I hope they get it resolved!
Marty

mfagerburg

Discussion Starter · #20 · 9 mo ago

Hi All,

So it has been 24 hours- and looks like I have a car back! I really appreciate all of your ideas and help- especially @Ein ! Had fun driving it again. Will let you know if everything changes.

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